|
(a)Give two reasons why output is sometimes
considerd before input when a system is being designed.[2 marks ]
One mark
should be awarded for each valid point (up to a maximum of two marks).
Examples include the following:
• The outputs from the system will fo m the final package received
by the
customer.
• Output is often used as input to systems control. Other valid
answers should also receive credit. [2 marks ]
(b)Describe each of the following output
design objectives
(i)Design the output to fit the user.[2 marks ]
It is
often difficult to personalise output (1 mark).However ,it is sometimes
possible —on the basis of interviews, questionnaires, or prototypes
—to design output to suit many, if not all, users (1 mark).
Other valid answers should also receive credit. [2 marks ]
(ii)Deliver the appropriate quantity of output.[2 marks ]
Part of the task of designing output is determining the most suitable
quantity of output (1 mark); more is not always better with regards
to output (1 mark). Other valid answers should also receive credit.
[2 marks]
(iii)Provide the output
on time.[2 marks ]
Being concerned about the timing of output distribution is very important
(1 mark). Some reports may be produced daily, some weekly, some monthly,
and some yearly; output should be sensitive to this (1 mark). Other
valid answers should also receive credit. [2 marks ]
(c)What do you consider to be the real
challenge associated with input
design?[1 mark ]
The real challenge associated with input design is ensuring that inputs
are accurate and timely (1 mark). Other valid answers should also
receive credit. [1 mark ].
(d)Describe each of the following input
design objectives
(i)Avoid delay.[2 marks ]
A processing
delay esulting from data preparation o data entry is termed a bottleneck
(1 mark). Avoiding bottlenecks should always be one objective of input
design (1 mark). Other valid answers should also receive credit. [2
marks ]
(ii)Avoid extra steps.[2 marks ]
Sometimes the volume of transactions and the amount of data preparation
or data entry jobs from them cannot be controlled (1 mark). When the
volume of transactions cannot be reduced, we must ensure that the
process is efficient as possible (1 mark). Other valid answers should
also receive credit. [2 marks ]
(iii)Keep
the process simple.[2 marks ]
Simplicity works, and is desired by users (1 mark). However, incorporating
many controls may have an impact on simplicity: it is essential to
try and achieve a good balance (1 mark). Other valid answers should
also receive credit. [2 marks ]
|